Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-11-10


being detected in gazing so fixedly at
stranger, and, flushing slightly, turned to
her escort and asked him some impromptu
question.
Lady Lydia, his watchful companion, per-
ceived the confusion on the part of Fairfax
with evident surprise, and said, quickly:
'.Ah! you have already met my friend, the
Princess, then?"
Rarely thrown off his guard, and wonder
fully quick at recovering himself, he an
swered, slowly and quietly:
''You are mistaken. If you refer to the
lady coming down the stars, never saw
her before this evening"
This was quite true, for it was after six
O'Clock. when she was watering her horse
at the pool.
Not so easily forced to retreat, Lydia de-
termined to follow up her attack with a
coup d. etat Easily and gracefully slipping
her arm through his, she remarked:
'Let me present you, them
Was it intuition, tiridity or a feeling that
the Princess was being from another
world and must be worshiped at dis
tance-what was it that caused Fairfax to
start back with look of alarm and hastily
exclaim:
mo. Please do not do that"
He saw his error Immediately, as did
Lydia. Smiling sarcastically, she re-
marked in ironical tones:
''You appear to be extremely disturbed at
the idea of meeting a mere stranger, Mr..
Fairfax; and one so attractive, too''
Just here the Warehouses entered from
an adjoining room and, seeing the Princess
prepared for departure, FASTENED toward
her, SAYING:
''Surely, my dear Natalie, you are not
going, without, at least, one song. / have
Sfr thfayz fOr hn
of hearing you sing''
Smiling sweetly, her charming guest re-
piled:
Certainly, if you wish it, but it must be
only one"
Going to the piano, the Princess played
few soft chords and began her song.
Since the fatal moment every occurrence
had been so opportune, so peculiarly and
strangely appropriate, that it seemed to
Fairfax as if he were in a land of enchant-
ment, or dreaming. But six hours had
elapsed since he had seen, only for mo-
ment, and become helplessly fascinated
with the most lovely being he had ever be-
held. Fortune had also willed it that he
should not only learn the name of this fair
stranger as well as the hauntS of her ar
tistic labors, but, also, should become the
present pOssessor of certain valued belong
ings of hers, while, to cap the climax, he was,
now, not only III her presence, but one of his IA
vorite ballads, that had been ringing through
his brain, ever since he had read it en-
graved upon the handle of the recovered
knife-that very song she was actually now
singing, with voice glorious and strong:
and, yet, so sweet and deeply sympathetic
that it thrilled every fiber of his being with
pleasure so subtle that it was akin to
pain. Many did not restrain their tears,
and all were visibly affected When she
finished, no applause followed. The unusual
silence was far more commendatory. A
gentle pressure of Natalie's hand by the
Marchioness, and quiet: ''Thank you, my
DEAR from the old gentleman, spoke vol
umes of praise.
Her cloak, trimmed with white ermine,
was thrown over the Princess beautiful
neck and shoulders; her own white fingers
deity encased the shapely head in its rich
covering, leaving the far-shining star still
visible.
Kissing the Marchioness, she turned to
the guests, who rose unanimously, and,
making a pretty bow, took the arm of the
Marquis and walked down the hall toward
the door. AS she passed by, Fairfax heard
her say:
THAT song has haunted me all the even
ing and can not get rid of it,
+ He involuntarily started, for had he not
been in the same predicament.
"A few hours ago. continued she, 81
discovered that I had lost precious gift
that my brother gave to me, Just before he
died. The first few bars of that, his IA
vorite ballad, were engraved upon it. 1 am
very sad over its loss''-
Here Fairfax lost her words. He was
seized with an almost uncomfortable desire
to hasten after her and restore the lost
knife to its proper owner. But the Lady
Lydia, who had been watching him with the
eye of a lynx, remarked, sarcastically:
''Surely you don't intend pursuing an en-
tire stranger, after refusing an introduc-
ton to her!'
Recalled to his senses, Fairfax regarded
his fair tormentor moment, half in en-
treaty, half in defiance; then, assuming his
usual bravado spirit. gave her his arm.
He was filed with JOY. ''Otto," then,
was only her brother and not a lover.
Success had crowned all the young mans
efforts. He had discovered far more about
the Princess than he had even dared to hope
for, and-far above all!-had been honored
by more than a passing glance from her.
A wild delirium Of Joy came over him.
The turn in the tide of his life had, at last,
come He would take it.
Abandoning himself to the delight OF the
moment. he waltzed as he had never waltzed
before and found worthy companion in
lydia, who moved through the dance with
marvellous ease and grace. Neither had
ever before met with such partner. Their
dancing was 50 remarkable that all the
others paused to watch them. The orches-
ira was inspired and the music transport
ing1y sweet
In the case of Fairfax, this display was
simply vent to his suddenly aroused and